Heart of Fear Raid - Updated Preview
The Heart of Fear/Mantid Raid got a couple of updates in the latest beta patches, it's definitely been getting some attention and the final version of the instance will probably be very impressive.

Disclaimer - As usual, this is WORK IN PROGRESS. The video and screenshots do not reflect the final version of the instance.

Battle.net Mobile Alerts
A new security feature appeared on Battle.net tonight, called Mobile Alerts! You can be sure an official announcement is forthcoming but the FAQ is already live. The service is free and does not work with prepaid phones or VoIP numbers.

Originally Posted by Blizzard
(Blue Tracker)

What is the Battle.net Mobile Alerts service?
Battle.net Mobile Alerts is a free optional service that will help you manage your Battle.net account using any text-enabled cell phone with a data plan. By linking a cell phone to your account, you will receive updates and notifications about important security changes to your account. As a Mobile Alerts user, you may also use texted security codes to help prevent unauthorized changes to your account.

How do Battle.net Mobile Alerts help me stay informed about changes to my account?
The Battle.net Mobile Alerts service will generate and send informational text messages to your linked cell phone every time suspicious activity is detected or if important changes — such as password resets or authenticator removals — are made on your account.

What can I do with Mobile Alerts?
Mobile Alerts will allow you to:

Unlock your Battle.net account using your mobile phone.

Remove an unwanted authenticator from your account.

Recover your account name.

Reset your password.

When will I receive texts from Mobile Alerts?
You can disable certain Mobile Alerts texts without removing the service entirely. You'll always receive texts for the following:

Your account is flagged for suspicious login activity.

Your password is changed.

Security features are added to your account.

Security features are removed from your account.

What are security codes?
The Battle.net Mobile Alerts service will alert you of any changes to your account’s security settings. When a change is started, the service will generate and send a unique security code to your linked cell phone via text message. This code will be required to complete the changes.

Where do I enter the security codes?
When you make certain security settings changes on your account, an additional step will ask for your Mobile Alerts security code. Enter the code when prompted in order to proceed with the change as normal.

Can I link my phone to more than one Battle.net Account for Battle.net Mobile Alerts?
No, you may only link one Battle.net account to a single mobile number for Battle.net Mobile Alerts. You will receive notifications and generated security codes at that number for the linked account.

How much does the Battle.net Mobile Alerts service cost to use?
The Battle.net Mobile Alerts service is completely free. Your phone carrier's standard rates for received text messages apply.

How do I set up Battle.net Mobile Alerts for my phone?
First, log into your Battle.net Account Management page. Navigate to Security Options and click Mobile Alerts and Verification. You will then be walked through the setup process.

Eligibility and LimitationsWhat devices are eligible for Battle.net Mobile Alerts?
Any cell phone in a supported country with a data plan can be used as a Battle.net Mobile Alerts device.

Does the service support advanced messaging systems such as iMessage (iOS) or WhatsApp (iOS, Android)?
The Battle.net Mobile Alerts service is designed to work with a text-enabled cell phone. Advanced messaging systems are not supported

Why do I need to have a data plan to use Battle.net Mobile Alerts?
The Battle.net Mobile Alerts service uses text messages to deliver important information and security codes. In order to work with Mobile Alerts, your cell phone must be able to receive text messages. If you are unsure if you have a text or data plan, contact your phone provider.

What if the country that provides my cell phone service isn’t an option?
The Battle.net Mobile Alerts service is not currently available in all countries. If your phone is registered to a country that is not currently supported, please check back later. The service is expanding and more countries will be added soon.

TroubleshootingHow do I change my Mobile Alerts phone number?
To use Mobile Alerts with a different phone, you will need to remove the currently attached phone from your account and then attach your new number. You can do this from your Battle.net Account Management page.

What happens if I lose my phone?
If you lose the cell phone you've associated with your Battle.net account for Mobile Alerts, please contact us so that we can assist you.

What if I don't receive the SMS verification code due to technical issues?
If you are unable to receive the SMS verification code, please contact us so we can assist you. You may also wish to contact your phone provider to be sure your mobile phone is capable of receiving text messages.

Is there a way to remotely lock the account through Mobile Alerts in case of suspicious activity?
No. If you'd like to secure your account, you may wish to add an authenticator.

How is the Battle.net Mobile Alerts service different from the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator?
Mobile Alerts will provide you with informational messaging regarding the security of your account, while the Battle.net Authenticator is designed to act as a barrier between a would-be compromiser and your account.

Can I use the same mobile device for Battle.net Mobile Alerts and the Battle.net Mobile Authenticator?
Yes, both services can be used on the same mobile device simultaneously

Blue Posts

Originally Posted by Blizzard Entertainment

Orcs and Humans vs Other RacesWhat's your opinion on this? Metzen stated in his interview that only orcs and humans matter, so why do we even have the other races? Aesthetics?
You didn't just quote him out of context. You changed the meaning of what he said altogether:

Chris Metzen: "...the pillars of the franchise are orcs and humans; it really is the Alliance and Horde by extension, and it really is those two groups beating the brains out of each other for an extended period of time. That’s always gotta be what Warcraft is about..."

He's saying that the franchise began with orcs and humans. Those two races are the pillars upon which the Alliance and Horde were built. But the story has progressed and evolved so much since Warcraft: Orcs and Humans. Just because the faction rivalry has its foundations in a war between two races doesn't mean we think no other races matter.

I'm not saying his statements shouldn't be up for discussion. But I beg you not to start the discussion based on a false pretense.

Why, exactly would I want to follow a king who is not only thousands of years younger, but who you claim was deliberately written to be [a jerk].
This, again, can be drawn back to my reason for responding to this thread. You don't have the exact quote, but you're claiming we said Varian was written to be an [expletive deleted]. I don't know what quote you're referring to because, well, neither do you it seems. But I think I know where the general phrase you picked up on came from.

Chris said in interviews during the Mists of Pandaria press tour that Varian was written with several character flaws, and we expected him to have likability issues. The whole point was to create a character who was a little rough around the edges. It makes for a more interesting story when you see a flawed individual rise up to the challenges of being a truly great leader, which is what we have in store for Varian this expansion. So it was important for us to give him a bit of dimension in terms of personality.

Now, sure, I'm paraphrasing what Chris said as well. The difference here though is I sat in with him on multiple interviews where he relayed this sentiment. So my paraphrasing is more accurate than yours.

If what he was saying has been taken "out of context" then why are you making such efforts to ensure humans and orcs are always the "guys in charge" or superior to everyone else?
We're not going out of our way to ensure they're always the ones in charge. But that's been the natural progression since the Horde were founded more or less under absolute rule by the most powerful chief of the most powerful orc clan.

And even the High King idea (which frankly shatters what many feel is the thematic of an Alliance) seems to support this idea.
Similar to what I said about the Horde above, the Alliance formed an allegiance around human kingdoms. If you're suggesting they're thematically better served by a republic or democracy, Azeroth lore says otherwise. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Quest Rewards: Spec-Specific LootSome trinkets do silly things like summon a medic or get your character drunk or shoot a rainbow. While not that great for every clsss in combat, having these toys to have fun with is always a nice option. That staff will last two hours, but the trinket is priceless.
If there is a fun trinket, we will make sure it is available to everyone as a choice for precisely this reason. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

Theramore Must Not Be Destroyed
Oh, things will happen in Mists. Count on it.

That's what we're afraid of. It has been the Alliance's experience that things happening is never a good thing.
Yea, I'm just kinda done empathizing with this uber-skeptical, "we've been burned before" type of response to anything regarding faction content and story. The cynicism and sense of despair coming from Alliance players whenever story progression is discussed in any capacity is starting to come off a little forced. It's definitely not very useful.

I couldn't help but consider player perception when choosing which spectral mount to go with as my avatar. I went with the gryphon because I didn't want to waste time reading any posts about why I chose the Horde mount. But then I thought about the potential of seeing people complain that I only chose the gryphon as an empty gesture to the Alliance. I feel like there's a metaphor in there somewhere, hah. (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)

MMO-ReportThe MMO Report is back with information about SWTOR Patch 1.2, World of Darkness, and a special announcement.

Yea, I'm just kinda done empathizing with this uber-skeptical, "we've been burned before" type of response to anything regarding faction content and story. The cynicism and sense of despair coming from Alliance players whenever story progression is discussed in any capacity is starting to come off a little forced. It's definitely not very useful.

Just because they're paying customers doesn't make their complaints any less monotonous, he's just callin' them as he sees them.

Both factions got shitty leaders they didn't really like in Cataclysm, and I'm pretty sure we can all agree Garrosh is the worse of the two (Campfire 2012, et al.), yet you still have Alliance players trying to claim favouritism on this.

I think it's refreshing to see someone have some backbone instead of bending over for the customer's ever-nagging whims. You and I see the same threads 3 times a day. They see it much more often. They answer the dumbest questions from customers that act like little brats.

I like the sass. It's not offensive and it makes sense. If you go to Blizzard with a question filled with attitude, you should get a response with that same attitude. Don't understand where people forgot about the whole "treat people like you would like to be treated" moral viewpoint.

Because they are paying for a service and somehow that makes them feel entitled to belittle and treat blizzard employees like crap when they are not happy with something, and those are the kind of customers, that no matter what you do, are never going to be happy.

And that's pretty much everywhere. Decency and respect left the building a long time ago my friend in today's society.

I for one, LOVE when they get an attitude. I can't imagine having their jobs, must be so damn annoying, having to put up with the bullshit of so many people on a daily basis.

You know you can't expect to have millions of subscribers and not have people complain. No matter what they do there will be people who do not like it. Those people have every right to complain, and it's the Dev's responsibility to listen but choose what THEY want to do.

Yea, I'm just kinda done empathizing with this uber-skeptical, "we've been burned before" type of response to anything regarding faction content and story. The cynicism and sense of despair coming from Alliance players whenever story progression is discussed in any capacity is starting to come off a little forced. It's definitely not very useful.

Yea, I'm just kinda done empathizing with this uber-skeptical, "we've been burned before" type of response to anything regarding faction content and story. The cynicism and sense of despair coming from Alliance players whenever story progression is discussed in any capacity is starting to come off a little forced. It's definitely not very useful.

Thought the Alliance were the winning side in vanilla and in Wrath? I distinctly remember a quest line to go and raid Under City. Also the new LK being one of the heroes of the Alliance, I think that's pretty significant.[COLOR="red"]

Winning side in Vanilla and Wrath?! There was a Undercity Raid yes but the Alliance retreated and Undercity wasn't destroyed! And Vanilla didn't change anything, it was the beginning (of WoW). Of course the Humans had more towns than most of the other races but that has something to do with the Warcraft Lore...

And the new LK ist the LK.. nothing else. As if he would support the Alliance with all his undead minions.. that will never happen so his past doesn't matter.

I am amazed by how pathetic the blue's answers to lore questions are. Maybe Metzen was slippery in his exact phraseology. The passive aggressive tone towards the end is also hilarious and a massive cop out.

---------- Post added 2012-04-13 at 04:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Ixuzcc

Well, considering 90% of the feedback they're getting is people complaining for the sake of complaining (mind you, happy folk generally don't voice their content), I'm not surprised they're a little fed up.

Nope, they're complaining for what they perceive to be valid reasons. The blue's response is farcical.

---------- Post added 2012-04-13 at 04:56 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Kumashy

Because they are paying for a service and somehow that makes them feel entitled to belittle and treat blizzard employees like crap when they are not happy with something, and those are the kind of customers, that no matter what you do, are never going to be happy.

And that's pretty much everywhere. Decency and respect left the building a long time ago my friend in today's society.

I for one, LOVE when they get an attitude. I can't imagine having their jobs, must be so damn annoying, having to put up with the bullshit of so many people on a daily basis.

His response to a reasonable question and one which has scarcely received a proper answer was unprofessional, over the top and useless He isn't being belittled or "treated" like crap. And as for abuse Metzen receives, oh give me a break. So not everyone loves his treatment of the lore. Has Blizzard truly stumped so low as to treat anything that isn't congratulatory clap trap as "complaining"? Many, many players are very dissatisfied with the game's lore progression and it is a joke in a game with 12 races to put such focus on two that are blown out of all proportion in terms of their significance, especially compared to more ancient races in the setting as well as more powerful ones. It isn't a matter of a "natural progression" vs an active vision, because it pretty much is the natural progression of a rather actively nurtured vision.

Nothing Zharym received was abusive. If he cannot control his patience, he should just ignore.

Winning side in Vanilla and Wrath?! There was a Undercity Raid yes but the Alliance retreated and Undercity wasn't destroyed! And Vanilla didn't change anything, it was the beginning (of WoW). Of course the Humans had more towns than most of the other races but that has something to do with the Warcraft Lore...

And the new LK ist the LK.. nothing else. As if he would support the Alliance with all his undead minions.. that will never happen so his past doesn't matter.

Yeah, Bolvar's kind of a non factor for the time being. He's feigning the Scourge's collapse, and if he takes any side in the current conflict there's going to be another group knocking on Icecrown, and this time there won't be someone willing to take up the Helm.

I can't exactly blame the blues, though. So many people on the forums do nothing but talk shit about them, the game, and the company all day every day. If we want the blues to not be assholes, then we shouldn't be assholes. Unfortunately, "Don't be a dick" is probably impossible for a lot of the playerbase.

I can blame them, the fact they care so much about random shit talking and feel the need to be unprofessional is pretty weak.

---------- Post added 2012-04-13 at 04:17 PM ----------

Originally Posted by tockets

I miss open air raids like AQ20/40 and ZG. (Though I'd argue ZG kind of felt like it had a heavy canopy over it) I think part of the reason Hyjal felt so epic was because of this.

Also, I love the more intricate raids like Karazhan. It was an amazing 10m because the tower felt alive. It had kitchens, entertainment rooms, bedrooms etc etc. I realize massive war keeps don't need a ball room, but I think the small rooms that link off of hall ways and what not really make an instance feel like a place instead of auto walk and kill situation.

That said, this raid looks really nice. I think the whole Manti thing is neat. I feel like I can see where this is going and I like it.

Kara was a very good designed raid with some good lore, miss raids being like that and open aired one to boot.

Paying money doesn't give you the right to continually spout off irrational complaints.

The key here is irrational. Blizz says your complaints about the Alliance being shafted are irrational, and as a fellow Alliance player, I have to agree. I mean, look at his reasoning behind picking the spectral griffen as his avatar. THAT IS VALID REASONING, because you know for certain someone would have complained if he picked a spectral wyvern, whereas Horde players really don't give a shit that he went the other way with his avatar. The level of ridiculousness is, in many ways, showing the immaturity and uptightness of the Alliance playerbase.

And I wanted so much to post an /inb4 butthurt posts about treating the Alliance poorly. Was already too late.

Personally I really enjoy watching the Blues get so mad. They reap what they sow. They are the reason the community is so bad, so they should deal with it. I also wonder when we'll get the first quarter numbers out for subscribers. I really would like to see that. I have no idea what happened over the last 3 months but if you were to base it on my server alone, I'd say WoW lost a huge number of subscribers. That would help explain some of their hostility. Since about the last 6 months of Wrath, Blizzard has just gone crazy it seems.

Originally Posted by ACFroggy

So so far this place has been compared to AQ20, AQ40, BoT, BWD, ICC, and TK. That's a whole lot to copy from!

And these comments asking for an open air raid are magical. The last raid of cata was open air and all people did was bitch about wanting to go inside a building!

Why are people so dumb ?!?!? ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uh, because DS wasn't really open air? You could only mount up at the start of the instance, the rest of it wasn't really open air. It was simply a box designed to LOOK open, when it really wasn't.